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Ohio Legislature Reintroduces Heartbeat Bill

Abortion protestors at Ohio Statehouse recently
Jo Ingles
/
WYSO

A controversial abortion bill that Governor Kasich vetoed at the end of last year has been reintroduced in the Ohio legislature. 

The so-called “heartbeat bill”, legislation that would ban abortions at the point a fetal heartbeat can be detected, has become a staple in the legislature in recent years. Last year, lawmakers narrowly passed the legislation, but Gov. John Kasich vetoed it when it reached his desk.

Now it’s been introduced in the House again. While it has two sponsors and 48 co-sponsors – which totals more than half the House – there’s no indication Kasich has changed his mind on the bill.

A few legislators who oppose abortion are concerned about the heartbeat bill, saying it was unconstitutional. Ohio Right to Life didn’t back the bill either, citing concerns over its constitutionality.